Celebrants go with the snow

2 fireworks shows give revelers a choice of when to say 'Oh!'

January 01, 2008|By Karoun Demirjian, Tribune staff reporter

As Chicago geared up to ring in the new year Monday night, the weather kept right in step, creating wet, snowy obstacles for revelers planning to spend New Year's enjoying outdoor festivities and fireworks.

Navy Pier joined with the city to offer two fireworks shows along the pier: one at the traditional midnight hour, and an earlier display -- called Family Fireworks -- at 7 p.m.

Crowds were sparse at the first show, and many of those who braved the wintry weather huddled together under umbrellas to at least escape the wet flakes, if not the cold.

Reviews were, as a result, mixed.

"It was a waste of time," said Danielle Brown, 15, who came with friends to watch the fireworks display before heading to a New Year's Eve party.

She found the show's brief 10-minute length and muted colors, thanks to the snow clouds, disappointing. "I thought it was going to be more than what it was," she said.

But the family-oriented festivities appeared to be a big hit with younger children.

"I loved it!" said a boisterous Jolie Ingersoll, 7, who came with her mother, father and little brother. The Ingersolls moved to Oak Park last year from Texas, so they made sure to come early, mom Cory Ingersoll said, and have a celebratory snowball fight.

"It wouldn't feel right without the snow," she said.

Gagneesh Rawat, visiting from Columbia, Mo., said his three young daughters thought it was "the best fireworks display they'd ever seen."

"And they've seen plenty of fireworks," he said.

But still, several people would ring in the new year from a perch with heat -- no matter how close they might be to the action.

That included Kristi Castrovillari, 27, and Nick Hartung, 28, who caught the first fireworks display on Navy Pier as they stood in line to board a five-hour cruise on the Spirit of Chicago.

"We have a window seat for dinner," Hartung said. "I think we'll try to keep it for the fireworks."